Profile

R. Byron Pipes, NAE, IVA, was appointed John L. Bray Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Purdue University in 2004. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (1987) and the Royal Society of Engineering Sciences of Sweden. He served as Goodyear Endowed Professor of Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron during 2001- 04. He was Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the College of William and Mary during 1999-2001, where he pursued research at the NASA Langley Research Center in the field of carbon nanotechnology. He served as President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1993-98. Dr. Pipes was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Delaware from 1991-93 and served as Dean of the College of Engineering and Director of the Center for Composite Materials during 1977-91 at the same institution. He was appointed Robert L. Spencer of Engineering in 1986 in recognition of his outstanding scholarship in the field of polymer composite materials ranging over the subject areas of advanced manufacturing science, durability, design and characterization. He is the author of over one hundred archival publications including four books and has served on the editorial boards of four journals in his field. Dr Pipes has been recognized for his leadership in creating partnerships for university research with the private sector, government and academia. He served as one of the first six directors of National Engineering Research Centers of NSF.
Dr Pipes received his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and the MSE from Princeton University. He is the recipient of the Gustus L. Larson Award of Pi Tau Sigma and the Chaire Francqui, Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award in Belgium. He holds Fellow rank in ASC, ASME and SAMPE. Dr. Pipes has served on a number of National Research Council panels as both member and chair and served two terms on the National Materials Advisory Board. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Delaware.